A river horse, also known as a hippo, is an aquatic mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa. Hippos live in rivers, lakes, and swamps, and are the third largest land mammal in the world. They are related to pigs and other even toed ungulates.

The Greek words for “river horse” are what inspired the name hippopotamus. Hippos spend most of their day submerged in rivers and lakes to stay cool and avoid prey. Hippos are semi-aquatic, meaning they can live in both water and land, and can hold their breath for up to five minutes.

Hippos have barrel-shaped bodies. They measure up to 15 feet long. Hippos have thick, wrinkled skin that is usually grayish-brown in color, although some individuals can be reddish-brown. They have long, curved tusks and webbed toes.

Hippos have a social hierarchy. A group of females are known as a “pod” and are controlled by the most dominant male. Hippos have a variety of vocalizations, including snorts, grunts, and bellows.

Hippos eat grasses, leaves, and aquatic plants. They can eat up to 40 kilograms of vegetation each day and spend up to 16 hours a day grazed. Hippos are vital to the health of their environment. They help maintain water levels by providing habitat for aquatic animals.

Hippos can reach speeds of up to 20 miles per hour on land, despite their large size. They are good swimmers and can stay underwater for up to five minutes at a time.

Hippos are being threatened by habitat loss. Poachers kill their meat and ivory tusks for their skin which is used to make leather products.

Hippos provide many benefits to the environment in the African savannah. They are symbols of power and strength in many African cultures.